U of Kentucky working on ways to reduce carbon dioxide from coal-fired plants

To tackle the challenge of "scrubbing" copious amounts of carbon dioxide belched from coal-fired power plants, University of Kentucky researchers have turned to household cleaners.

Ammonia solutions similar to Windex will play a pivotal role in research at the crux of a 10-year, $24 million project among UK, electric utility companies and the state to develop efficient and effective ways to reduce carbon dioxide from electricity plants that use coal.

"We must solve the problem of carbon dioxide because it is affecting the long-term health of this earth," Gov. Steve Beshear said during a news conference Monday. "Those who burn coal, those who sell it, those who mine it and those who regulate it know the world is changing."